For Kirsten, Jess, Mind, Alzheimer's Society, King's College Hospital Charity, Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance and Friends of the William Harvey Hospital.

On Saturday 18th June 2022, Kirsten and her daughter Jess were out on a morning run together as part of their training for the 2022 London Marathon. Shockingly, they had nearly reached home when Kirsten and Jess were run down by a van travelling at speed on the wrong side of the road. Kirsten’s injuries were severe; they included a double fracture on her pelvis, two broken legs, and smashed knees – she also damaged nerves in her left foot. Her daughter Jess suffered a broken right leg and developed serious neurological complications resulting from a fat embolism as a direct consequence of the break.

Following major operations, Kirsten and Jess are thankfully now on the long road to a physical recovery, as they heal and learn to regain their mobility and strength. Similarly, their psychological recovery shouldn’t be underestimated; the unimaginable mental impact of this traumatic event, coupled with the life-changing injuries that they have suffered will understandably be a challenging road for them both. It is now therefore even more crucial and relevant that Kirsten and Jess find motivation as they heal, and what better way than through the challenge that they themselves wished to fulfil – to complete the full 26 miles of the London Marathon in April 2024 in aid of Mind (a mental health charity). They had originally targeted the 2023 London Marathon, but due to the severity of their injuries they have had to set a more realistic date.

Kirsten’s wish to raise money for Mind began because she believes in the valuable work that the charity does in supporting people with mental health issues. As you will read from the statement of support for the charity that she wrote prior to her accident on her Just Giving page, running has been invaluable to Kirsten, from both a physical and mental health perspective, and has become an increasingly important part of her lifestyle and wellbeing. Similarly, for Jess, as a young and active woman, she gained a place on the London Marathon through the ballot and chose to champion the Alzheimer's Society to help support her grandfather, and now wishes to combine efforts with her mum to raise funds for Mind, the Alzheimer’s Society, and others.

Now as both mother and daughter continue their journey to recovery, with your help, support and generosity, we want to turn their initial goals into beacons of hope and incentive – giving them the strength and inspiration that they will so need over the next few months, and possibly years. To do this, we seek to:

- Help them reach and exceed their initial fundraising target of £2,000, to a new of goal of £20,000; and

- Make it possible (with your help) for Kirsten and Jess to complete the London Marathon in April 2024 come rain or shine!

In addition to raising money for Mind, funds will also be raised for the Alzheimer’s Society, Air Ambulance (HEMS, Helicopter Emergency Medical Service), William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, and King’s College Hospital, London for their incredible life-saving work. Kirsten, Jess, their families and friends will be forever grateful for their expertise, experience, professionalism, strength, and compassion.

Help us to take their initial target of £2,000 to £20,000 for Kirsten, Jess, Mind & others.

Each of Kirsten's pages are for a different charity so please choose the charity you wish to support.